Create a WISHLIST

The following is a quick excerpt from John Broderick's book, The Do's and Don'ts of Remodeling.

Now that you've decided to remodel your home, your first job is to pinpoint what you want to accomplish and how much you can afford to spend. To develop your plan, start with a wish list of all the things you would like to do. Sit down with your spouse and other family members to discuss the specific improvements your home needs. Ask yourself why you want or need these changes. At this point, it doesn't matter if some of your "bright ideas" turn out to be unaffordable or structurally unfeasible. The goal is to brainstorm and come up with a written statement of your dreams. Include the room or section of your home you'd like to improve, and list the possible changes.

This is great advice to get you started....create a wish list as crazy and long as you can. Let it all hang out on the front end before anything really happens. It will certainly change a bit along the way, but it's a perfect starting point.